By creating a standard of classification for our school, the Anytown School Library Staff can develop consistent records that will be easier to access and search. A classification system contributes to ease of location of resources for all information users, once the users are familiar with the structure that exists in our library. By utilizing a widespread and systematic method of classification, the library is able to contribute records to, and utilize records from, local public and school libraries through the use of the online public access. In this manner, resources can be provided on a significantly larger scale for our patrons and others through the surrounding region. Anytown School Library records will reflect those of other institutions, allowing us to all provide uniform classification processes, to better share and review materials.
Procedures
Classification System
For all classification process in the Anytown School Library, the classification system utilized will be the Abridged Dewey Decimal Classification and Relative Index: Edition 14, originally devised by Melvil Dewey and last updated in 2004 by Joan S. Mitchell, Julienne Beall and Giles Martin, for classification of all materials.
Locating an Existing Dewey Decimal Number In all instances of locating Dewey Decimal numbers from alternate resources, the validity and local compatibility of the number must be reviewed. Attempts to locate existing Dewey Decimal numbers for an item will progress in the following order or in conjunction with one another for comparison:
Vendor provided MARC records, field 082
Comparison of local records and those derived from copy cataloging resources. Identical materials should receive the same DDC number.
OPAC records - local, or from copy cataloging resource.
CIP information from the item. If the number in the CIP is not taken from the Abridged 14 Dewey Decimal Classification, or if it is older than 2003, the number should be checked for updates.
If no number can be found, as a last resort, create DDC number according to the directions in Creation of a Unique DDC Number.
Creation of Unique DDC Numbers
The creation of a DDC number begins with determining the subject matter of the book. Using summaries, reviews, or upon reading the work, determine subject terms that would apply and look for matching terms in the Relative Index of the Abridged 14 Dewey Decimal Classification text. In order to select the proper terms to be located in the Abridged 14 Dewey Decimal Classification text, examine how much of the item is devoted to the subject/s. · If one subject is acted upon by another, choose the term that is acted upon. · When one subject is covered more than another in an item utilize the term associated with the dominant subject · In the event that two-to-three subjects are covered equally, use the term related to the subject that appears first in the DDC system · If more than three subjects are represented, choose a subject classification term that is more broad and inclusive of all
Building DDC numbers If a relevant term is not found, or if further investigation seems warranted, other parts of Abridged 14 Dewey Decimal Classification text can be utilized. The “Summaries” – a record of the subject values assigned to the ten main classes, the hundred divisions and the thousand sections - can be utilized to build the first three numbers of the DDC number. Next, referencing the newly determined number in the “Schedules” section of the Abridged Dewey Decimal Classification and Relative Index can help to determine if the number is appropriate and also to see if any of the “Tables” need to be referenced for addition of decimal places. For local purposes, call numbers will include up to three decimal places or the first prime mark, whichever comes first.
Local Policies for DDC Prefixes and Cutters The following chart details the addition of local details for prefixes and cutters to aquired and locally created DDC numbers:
Item
Description
Classification Scheme
Example
Books & Playaways
Nonfiction
Classification #, Cutter - first three letters of author’s last name
363.738 GOR
Fiction
Prefix FIC, Cutter - first three letters of author’s last name
FIC PIK
Biography
Classifiction # 921, Cutter – first three letters of subject’s last name
92 KEN
Juvenile Fiction
Prefix E, Cutter – first letter of author’s last name
E M
Short Story Collections
Prefix SC, Cutter – first three letters of author’s last name
SC POE
French Language Works
Prefix FRE, Classification #, Cutter – first three letters of author’s last name
FRE 821.2 HUG
Spanish Language Works
Prefix SPA, Classification #, Cutter – first three letters of author’s last name
Prefix REF, Classification #, Cutter - first three letters of author’s last name
REF 423 MER
Professional Collection
Prefix, Classification #, Cutter
PRO 371.14 CON
DVDs
DVD media
DVD, Prefix, Classification #, Cutter
Add DVD in front of prefix
Anomalies in Labeling
More than one identical item: Items will have the same Dewey Decimal number. A copy number is added into local holding records but not displayed with the DDC label.
Set / volume number: Items within a set will have the same Dewey Decimal number. A volume label is added to the local records but not to the DDC number itself. A volume number or item specification is placed onto the spine label.
DDC Influence on Collection Arrangement
Newly purchased nonfiction books are labeled according to the above directions. They are to be displayed on the shelves immediately in front of the circulation desk for a minimum of one month.
Newly purchased fiction books are labeled according to the above directions. They are to be displayed on top of the four foot fiction shelving for a minimum of one month.
Biographies are shelved together, in a section separate from the rest of the 900s
Works of juvenile fiction are shelved together
Short story collections are shelved together, near the fiction section
French language works are shelved together, arranged in order first by nonfiction, then fiction.
Spanish language works are shelved together, arranged in order first by nonfiction, then fiction.
Oversized items are labeled according to the above directions (a prefix of “OS”). They are shelved in the “Oversized” section of the library arranged in order first by nonfiction, then fiction.
Reference materials:
Dictionaries and Encyclopedias are labeled according to the above directions (a prefix of “REF”) and placed in the “Reference” section.
Career Reference materials are also labeled according to the above directions (a prefix of “REF”) and placed in the “Career Reference” section.
Professional materials are labeled according to the above directions (a prefix of “PRO”). They are shelved in the “Professional” section of the library.
Updates of Dewey Classification At least every three months, DDC updates should be made to the school copy of Abridged Dewey Decimal Classification and Relative Index: Edition 14. These updates can be found at the New and Changed Entries page on the OCLC website. They can be documented directly into the text with pencil with a date of update. These changes are also to be updated in the system using the global editing option in our MARC Magician Professional software. For instructions on how to make global changes within our system, see the //Global Editing Basics// for MARC Magician Professional, Tutorial 7
Review and Amendment of Policies Library policies should be reviewed every spring for any changes that may affect Dewey Decimal Classification strategies or to facilitate understanding of the process of developing DDC labels as deemed necessary by the SLMS and / or the administration. When possible, policies should be reviewed in collaboration with all district librarians, or with local school librarians.
Reference Materials
DDC Summaries - This site contains a brief introducation to the Dewey Decimal System of Classification, including a discussion of how to create DDC numbers. Also included are the main summaries - the ten main classes, the hundred divisions and the thousand sections.
Global Editing Basics, MARC Magician Professional Tutorial 7 - Utilize this tutorial to learn or review the process for making global cataloging changes to Dewey Classification numbers.
New and Changed Entries - This page of the Online Computer Library Center's (OCLC) webpage describes changes and updates made to the DDC.
Dewey Services- This section of the OCLC website contains a wide variety of resources dealing with the Dewey Decimal Classification system.
Abridged Dewey Decimal Classification and Relative Index: Edition 14 - This is the definitive reference used to assign DDC numbers.
Abridged 13 Workbook: For Small Libraries Using Dewey Decimal Classification Abridged Edition 13 - This workbook, its descriptions and exercises can help the school librarian gain practice with DDC issues that can be applied to actual classification scenarios.
- This pamphlet, is a self-created resource can be used as a reference to DDC numbers both by library patrons and librarians.
Bibliography and Suggested Readings
This annotated bibliography contains references used to create this guide, as well as information on sites and books that would be useful to those creating DDC records.
Table of Contents
I. Policy Statement
II. Procedures
A. Classification System
B. Locating an Existing Dewey Decimal Number
C. Creation of a Unique DDC Numbers
D. Building DDC Numbers
E. Local Policies for DDC Prefixes and Cutters
F. Anomalies in Labeling
G. DDC Influence on Collection Arrangment
H. Updates of Dewey Classification
I. Review and Amendment of Policies
III. Reference Materials
A. DDC Summaries
B. Global Editing Basics
C. New and Changed Entries
D. Dewey Services
E. Abridged Dewey Decimal Classification and Relative Index: Edition 14
F. Abridged 13 Workbook: For Small Libraries Using Dewey Decimal Classification Abridged Edition 13
G. Classification System Pamphlet
IV. Bibliography and Suggested Readings
Policy Statement
By creating a standard of classification for our school, the Anytown School Library Staff can develop consistent records that will be easier to access and search. A classification system contributes to ease of location of resources for all information users, once the users are familiar with the structure that exists in our library. By utilizing a widespread and systematic method of classification, the library is able to contribute records to, and utilize records from, local public and school libraries through the use of the online public access. In this manner, resources can be provided on a significantly larger scale for our patrons and others through the surrounding region. Anytown School Library records will reflect those of other institutions, allowing us to all provide uniform classification processes, to better share and review materials.Procedures
Classification System
For all classification process in the Anytown School Library, the classification system utilized will be the Abridged Dewey Decimal Classification and Relative Index: Edition 14, originally devised by Melvil Dewey and last updated in 2004 by Joan S. Mitchell, Julienne Beall and Giles Martin, for classification of all materials.Locating an Existing Dewey Decimal Number
In all instances of locating Dewey Decimal numbers from alternate resources, the validity and local compatibility of the number must be reviewed. Attempts to locate existing Dewey Decimal numbers for an item will progress in the following order or in conjunction with one another for comparison:
If no number can be found, as a last resort, create DDC number according to the directions in Creation of a Unique DDC Number.Vendor provided MARC records, field 082
Comparison of local records and those derived from copy cataloging resources. Identical materials should receive the same DDC number.
OPAC records - local, or from copy cataloging resource.
CIP information from the item. If the number in the CIP is not taken from the Abridged 14 Dewey Decimal Classification, or if it is older than 2003, the number should be checked for updates.
Creation of Unique DDC Numbers
The creation of a DDC number begins with determining the subject matter of the book. Using summaries, reviews, or upon reading the work, determine subject terms that would apply and look for matching terms in the Relative Index of the Abridged 14 Dewey Decimal Classification text.
In order to select the proper terms to be located in the Abridged 14 Dewey Decimal Classification text, examine how much of the item is devoted to the subject/s.
· If one subject is acted upon by another, choose the term that is acted upon.
· When one subject is covered more than another in an item utilize the term associated with the dominant subject
· In the event that two-to-three subjects are covered equally, use the term related to the subject that appears first in the DDC system
· If more than three subjects are represented, choose a subject classification term that is more broad and inclusive of all
Building DDC numbers
If a relevant term is not found, or if further investigation seems warranted, other parts of Abridged 14 Dewey Decimal Classification text can be utilized. The “Summaries” – a record of the subject values assigned to the ten main classes, the hundred divisions and the thousand sections - can be utilized to build the first three numbers of the DDC number.
Next, referencing the newly determined number in the “Schedules” section of the Abridged Dewey Decimal Classification and Relative Index can help to determine if the number is appropriate and also to see if any of the “Tables” need to be referenced for addition of decimal places.
For local purposes, call numbers will include up to three decimal places or the first prime mark, whichever comes first.
Local Policies for DDC Prefixes and Cutters
The following chart details the addition of local details for prefixes and cutters to aquired and locally created DDC numbers:
Anomalies in Labeling
DDC Influence on Collection Arrangement
Updates of Dewey Classification
At least every three months, DDC updates should be made to the school copy of Abridged Dewey Decimal Classification and Relative Index: Edition 14. These updates can be found at the New and Changed Entries page on the OCLC website. They can be documented directly into the text with pencil with a date of update. These changes are also to be updated in the system using the global editing option in our MARC Magician Professional software. For instructions on how to make global changes within our system, see the //Global Editing Basics// for MARC Magician Professional, Tutorial 7
Review and Amendment of Policies
Library policies should be reviewed every spring for any changes that may affect Dewey Decimal Classification strategies or to facilitate understanding of the process of developing DDC labels as deemed necessary by the SLMS and / or the administration. When possible, policies should be reviewed in collaboration with all district librarians, or with local school librarians.
Reference Materials
DDC Summaries - This site contains a brief introducation to the Dewey Decimal System of Classification, including a discussion of how to create DDC numbers. Also included are the main summaries - the ten main classes, the hundred divisions and the thousand sections.
Global Editing Basics, MARC Magician Professional Tutorial 7 - Utilize this tutorial to learn or review the process for making global cataloging changes to Dewey Classification numbers.
New and Changed Entries - This page of the Online Computer Library Center's (OCLC) webpage describes changes and updates made to the DDC.
Dewey Services- This section of the OCLC website contains a wide variety of resources dealing with the Dewey Decimal Classification system.
Abridged Dewey Decimal Classification and Relative Index: Edition 14 - This is the definitive reference used to assign DDC numbers.
Abridged 13 Workbook: For Small Libraries Using Dewey Decimal Classification Abridged Edition 13 - This workbook, its descriptions and exercises can help the school librarian gain practice with DDC issues that can be applied to actual classification scenarios.
Bibliography and Suggested Readings
This annotated bibliography contains references used to create this guide, as well as information on sites and books that would be useful to those creating DDC records.L. Pruyne & R. Gosselin
April 2011